It found that teenagers are nearly 40 per cent more likely to have severe asthma if they eat burgers and fast food more than three times a week, while children aged six to seven with a diet of junk food were nearly 70 per cent more likely to become severe asthma sufferers.

The study focused on two different age groups: 319,000 13- to 14-year-olds from 51 countries and 181,000 six- to seven-year-olds from 31 countries, and Professor Hywel Williams, from the centre of evidence-based dermatology at Nottingham University, believes the link between allergies and fast food is an accurate one.

He said: "People often believe fast foods are associated with things like acne, obesity and hyperactivity, but not allergies, and severe allergies at that. And even if one country had such a belief, how could you explain such consistency across so many countries and cultures and socio-economic groups?"

She explained: "Evidence suggests that the vitamins and antioxidants found in fresh fruit and vegetables have a beneficial effect on asthma, therefore Asthma UK advises people with asthma to eat a healthy, balanced diet including five portions of fruit or vegetables every day, fish more than twice a week, and pulses more than once a week."

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